LSK threatens to push for removal of agriculture CS Linturi over fake fertiliser
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi could be in trouble if recommendations and a speech by Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Faith Odhiambo are anything to go by.
In an address to the media on Monday, April 22, the society said it had given the CS a one-week ultimatum to address issues surrounding the National Fertilizer Subsidy Programme (NFSP), failing which it would petition Parliament for his removal.
Among the recommendations is the setting up of a task force to review the challenges facing the distribution of subsidised fertiliser.
The LSK has also called for a proper investigation and an audit report to be presented to the public to clearly explain how the fake fertiliser scandal started and what measures the government has put in place to avert the same in the future.
“We will petition Parliament to call for the immediate removal of Mr Mithika Linturi from the position of Cabinet Secretary under Article 152 (6) of the Constitution for gross misconduct, violation of the Constitution and incapacity to hold public office,” said Ms Odhiambo.
The LSK has also said it will take legal action against the ministry, the CS in his personal capacity, the Kenya National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), Kebs and other officials involved in the distribution of fake fertiliser.
The CS has also been accused of shifting the focus to journalists who exposed the scandal instead of using the lead to investigate and arrest the culprits.
“We therefore call on the CS to take action against this unprecedented horror show disguised as the NFSP and offer compensation to the affected farmers.”
In addition, the society has promised to pursue a class action suit on behalf of farmers who felt trapped by the fraudsters to ensure that they are fully compensated, and is urging affected farmers to report the matter to LSK offices in the regions.
According to Ms Odhiambo, it is unfortunate that NFSP, which was launched as a source of relief for farmers, has been reduced to a conduit for fraudsters to extract money from unsuspecting farmers who are bearing the brunt of unrelenting investment in fake fertiliser.